Apple seems to have delayed the release of its new iPhone Air device in mainland China, as its website there does not permit customers to make pre-orders.
As initially noted by Bloomberg, Apple’s China site features a notice on its iPhone Air page saying “release information will be updated later.”
The firm, that launched iPhone Air with several other new items this week, had announced the sleek device would be up for pre-order in the area today (14 September), before its general release on 19 September. The schedule aligned with the US and other key markets.
The Phone Air solely employs eSIM technology and lacks the ability to support a physical SIM. Significantly, the Chinese market has historically depended primarily on physical SIMs, and the adoption of eSIM technology has been restricted.
Reuters stated earlier today that all three major operators in China will offer eSIM support for the device, although this decision will require regulatory approval, potentially accounting for the delay
